Victorian children with high-needs disabilities are increasingly living in child protection because their parents can no longer look after them, with some advocates blaming the National Disability Scheme (NDIS) for its lack of support.
Government officials, advocates and care workers say it is “absolutely horrendous” that children with high-needs disabilities are forced to live in the already strained residential care system, sometimes with no NDIS support.
Prior to the scheme being introduced, Victoria provided some specialised care for people with disabilities, including group accommodation — but now around 48 children have gone into child protection across the state and more so across the nation.